LOS ANGELES — USC star JuJu Watkins was carried off the court just five minutes into the Trojans’ second-round NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State on Monday night after appearing to injure her right knee.

As Watkins drove to the basket on a fast break between two defenders, she was fouled and her right knee buckled as she planted her right leg, causing her to collapse to the floor. Watkins immediately grabbed her right knee and stayed down for over a minute.

The crowd at Galen Center collectively held its breath as trainers eventually had to lift up Watkins and carry her into the locker room. She was 0-of-2 shooting, with three free throws, one rebound and two assists before exiting.

The team announced at halftime that Watkins was being evaluated by medical staff and would not return. The Trojans, led by Kiki Iriafen‘s season-high 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting, would go on to beat Mississippi State 96-59 to reach the Sweet 16 for a second straight year.

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb did not have an update on Watkins after the game, saying only that “she’s getting incredible medical care.”

ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Watkins left the arena in a wheelchair and was taken to a local medical center for further evaluation that included an MRI.

After Watkins was hurt, the crowd loudly booed Mississippi State every time it had the ball. The school’s cheerleaders were booed during their halftime routine and the crowd got on the team again as it warmed up for the second half.

“She’s the key for us. We didn’t want to let her down,” Iriafen told ESPN afterward. “We just want to keep dancing, so whatever it takes is what I wanted to do. I think it just shows our toughness.”

Watkins, an Associated Press All-American selection and a contender for national player of the year, is averaging 24.6 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists and has been the driving force behind the Trojans’ 29-3 campaign, one that saw them earn the fourth No. 1 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament.

“This team rallied, they rallied for her, they rallied for each other,” Gottlieb said.

USC beat UNC Greensboro 71-25 in the first round. During that game, Watkins hurt her left hand after the ball jammed her fingers. She later came up limping on her left leg and winced.

“It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up,” she said afterward. “On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”

USC reached the Elite Eight in Watkins’ first season a year ago, losing to Paige Bueckers and UConn. The teams could meet again in a regional final in Spokane, Washington, this year.

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.